Surname Bowten - Meaning and Origin
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Bowten: What does the surname Bowten mean?
The last name Bowten is an English surname of Catuvellauni origin and has its roots in an ancient settlement in the region of Hertfordshire. The name itself derives from the Olde English personal name "Boewen" or "Boeth" and the Olde English prefix "tun" which means settlement, thus it means "Boewen's/Boeth's settlement". The Catuvellauni were a powerful tribe residing in the Old East Anglia region that controlled a large area of Southeast England as far as present-day London during the Iron Age.
The Bowten family settled mostly in the same geographic region during Medieval and later periods of history. Records of Bowten family members can be found in Surrey, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk counties from the 13th century onwards. This ancient English surname was then passed down through the generations as a result of English common law. It is believed that the modern surname Bowten originated from individuals who lived in the same area for generations and eventually became known as Bowtens because of common speech and the influence of local dialects.
The Bowtens have long been an important part of English history for centuries, known for making notable contributions in a variety of fields. Perhaps most famously, the Bowtens have been known for distinguished service in the military with mixed records of success in warfare. With a history of remarkable achievement and impressive contributions to society as a whole, the last name Bowten has truly left a lasting legacy.
Order DNA origin analysisBowten: Where does the name Bowten come from?
The last name Bowten is not particularly common today, but it can be found in a few countries around the world. In the United States, there are a few hundred Bowten households with most living in the states of Florida and Alabama. In the United Kingdom, Bowten is more prevalent and can be found in most counties. In Australia, Bowten is more widespread and there are a few hundred households present mainly in the states of Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales.
Bowten is also present in countries throughout Europe, particularly in the UK, Germany, Italy, France, Switzerland and Austria. There are significantly lower numbers in other countries such as Canada, South Africa and New Zealand.
In terms of the origin of the name Bowten, it is thought to be of Anglo-Saxon origin and may have been derived from a place name. However, its exact origin is unknown and it is difficult to pin down its exact meaning. The Bowten surname may have been used to indicate a person associated with a place or a particular family name. For example, a person may have been named Bowten because they were born in a place called Bowton or lived near a family of the name Bowten. In any case, the Bowten surname is not particularly common today but can still be found in certain areas around the world.
Variations of the surname Bowten
Bowten is a variant spelling of the English surname Bolton. This surname is of locational origin, from various places in Scotland, England and Ireland named Bolton. In England, the ‘place of dwellings’ may be derived from Old English ‘bold’ or Old German ‘boholt’, meaning ‘wood or settlement’. In Ireland, the name may share the same origin and in Scotland it mean ‘Farm on a riverbank’.
The variants and spellings of the name Bowten include; Bolton, Boton, Boughton, Bowton, Bouton, Bouten, Boton, Boulton, Boulten, Bowten, Bolton and Botlon.
The surnames Bowten and Bolton can be found in both England and Scotland. In Scotland many of holders can be found in the Scottish Lowlands. As you travel further north and into the more rural parts of Scotland the surname can be found as either Bowten or Bolton. The vast majority of those in England can be found in the North West especially around Lancashire.
The Bowten surname can also be found in Ireland, particularly in the counties of Donegal, Dublin and Meath. Often there is evidence of an older form of the name, Bolton, being de-anglicised to become Bowten. Then changes in spelling occurred making for a confusing complexity for genealogy research.
In the US the Bowten surname may have been Anglicised to Bowden, although this is largely speculation. Over time the pronunciation of these two names have been reconfigured and changed in some areas. In areas where Bolton was too common many began using Bowton, as this sounded more up-market. In some cases, Bowden was also created by the same decontraction process.
Famous people with the name Bowten
- Hannah Bowden: British public health researcher, radio host and newsreader
- Bob Bowten: popular Australian cartoonist and illustrator
- James Bowten: British entrepreneur and retired Royal Air Force officer
- Christopher Bowten: British actor, writer and producer
- Laura Bowten: British singer-songwriter
- Alison Bowten: British music composer, arranger and orchestrator
- John Bowten: British journalist and author
- Rhys Bowten: British executive chairman of HIT Entertainment
- Mark Bowten: British composer and orchestrator, working in film, television, ballet and concert music
- Tom Bowten: British actor, singer and creative arts professional